The beacon tag on your lanyard communicates with receivers installed throughout the venue. As you move between sessions, halls, and the exhibition area, the system records which zones you visit and for how long. The tags use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and only function inside the congress venue — they do not track you outside Messe München.

Geolocation data is collected for this pilot programme in only a limited number of large scientific session halls and a portion of the exhibition area. No tracking is performed in hallways, restrooms, common areas, meeting rooms, or other public spaces.

ESCMID takes data privacy seriously. The geolocation system has been designed with GDPR compliance at its core:

• No personal identification by the tracking system. The beacon tag transmits only an anonymous identifier. The geolocation technology provider has no access to your name, email, or any other personal information.
• Separation of data by design. Your registration data and your location data are stored in separate systems managed by separate providers. There is no possible way for a third-party to connect your identity with your location.
• Anonymized reporting. Any reports or analyses derived from geolocation data are aggregated and anonymized. Individual attendees cannot be identified in published results.

Participation is voluntary. If you prefer not to be tracked, simply remove the beacon tag from your lanyard. You may do this at any point during the congress — there is no penalty and it will not affect your access to any sessions or services.

If you remove the tag before leaving the congress, please deposit it in one of the beacon recycling bins located in the registration area. This helps ESCMID reduce electronic waste.

It is a small Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmitter. It allows ESCMID to understand how attendees use the congress venue — which sessions are popular, how people move through the exhibition, and how to improve future events.

Yes. The tag uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the same low-power wireless technology found in fitness trackers, wireless earbuds, and hearing aids. The radio frequency emissions are far below the limits set by international safety guidelines (ICNIRP) and EU regulations. The tag contains no hazardous materials and does not emit heat. It is passive and requires no charging or physical contact with your skin.

An initial activation step is required through the ESCMID Global mobile app. This can either be performed independently with your own device or can be performed by one of the helpful ESCMID staff in the registration area.

No. The beacon tags only communicate with receivers installed inside Messe München. They do not function outside the congress venue.

The system records which zone of the venue your tag is in and when. A record consists of an anonymous device identifier, a location (e.g., a session room or exhibition hall), and a timestamp. No audio, video, or personal information is collected by the tracking system.

The geolocation technology provider does not receive any personal information — only anonymous device identifiers and location data. Your identity (name, registration details) is held separately by a different provider. These two datasets can only be linked within ESCMID's own secure systems under strict controls and in compliance with GDPR.

The location data is processed by ESCMID's geolocation technology provider, who has no access to personal details. Analyses combining location and registration data are performed only within ESCMID's internal analytics environment. Any published results or reports use aggregated, anonymized data.

Please drop your beacon tag in one of the recycling bins located in the registration area. This helps ESCMID dispose of them responsibly and reduce electronic waste.

The primary purposes are:

• Helping ESCMID understand which sessions and areas of the congress are most used, so future events can be better planned
• Enabling more personalized session recommendations for attendees
• Providing aggregated, anonymized engagement insights to congress sponsors

Munich 2026 is a pilot. ESCMID will evaluate the system's usefulness and attendee feedback before deciding on future use.

If you have further questions about the geolocation system or your data, please visit the geolocation information booth in the registration area. Staff will be available there to answer your questions throughout the congress. For additional queries please use the contact form below.